Revelation 22; Revelation 12

Revelation 22

1 Then the Angel showed me Water-of-Life River, crystal bright. It flowed from the Throne of God and the Lamb,

2 right down the middle of the street. The Tree of Life was planted on each side of the River, producing twelve kinds of fruit, a ripe fruit each month. The leaves of the Tree are for healing the nations.

3 Never again will anything be cursed. The Throne of God and of the Lamb is at the center. His servants will offer God service - worshiping,

4 they'll look on his face, their foreheads mirroring God.

5 Never again will there be any night. No one will need lamplight or sunlight. The shining of God, the Master, is all the light anyone needs. And they will rule with him age after age after age.

6 The Angel said to me, "These are dependable and accurate words, every one. The God and Master of the spirits of the prophets sent his Angel to show his servants what must take place, and soon.

7 And tell them, 'Yes, I'm on my way!' Blessed be the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."

8 I, John, saw all these things with my own eyes, heard them with my ears. Immediately when I heard and saw, I fell on my face to worship at the feet of the Angel who laid it all out before me.

9 He objected, "No you don't! I'm a servant just like you and your companions, the prophets, and all who keep the words of this book. Worship God!"

10 The Angel continued, "Don't seal the words of the prophecy of this book; don't put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up.

11 Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness."

12 "Yes, I'm on my way! I'll be there soon! I'm bringing my payroll with me. I'll pay all people in full for their life's work.

13 I'm A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.

14 "How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they'll walk through the gates to the City.

15 But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters - all who love and live lies.

16 "I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I'm the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star."

17 "Come!" say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, "Come!" Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink, Drink freely of the Water of Life!

18 I give fair warning to all who hear the words of the prophecy of this book: If you add to the words of this prophecy, God will add to your life the disasters written in this book;

19 if you subtract from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will subtract your part from the Tree of Life and the Holy City that are written in this book.

20 He who testifies to all these things says it again: "I'm on my way! I'll be there soon!" Yes! Come, Master Jesus!

21 The grace of the Master Jesus be with all of you. Oh, Yes!

Revelation 12

1 A great Sign appeared in Heaven: a Woman dressed all in sunlight, standing on the moon, and crowned with Twelve Stars.

2 She was giving birth to a Child and cried out in the pain of childbirth.

3 And then another Sign alongside the first: a huge and fiery Dragon! It had seven heads and ten horns, a crown on each of the seven heads.

4 With one flick of its tail it knocked a third of the Stars from the sky and dumped them on earth. The Dragon crouched before the Woman in childbirth, poised to eat up the Child when it came.

5 The Woman gave birth to a Son who will shepherd all nations with an iron rod. Her Son was seized and placed safely before God on his Throne.

6 The Woman herself escaped to the desert to a place of safety prepared by God, all comforts provided her for one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

7 War broke out in Heaven. Michael and his Angels fought the Dragon. The Dragon and his Angels fought back,

8 but were no match for Michael. They were cleared out of Heaven, not a sign of them left.

9 The great Dragon - ancient Serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, the one who led the whole earth astray - thrown out, and all his Angels thrown out with him, thrown down to earth.

10 Then I heard a strong voice out of Heaven saying, Salvation and power are established! Kingdom of our God, authority of his Messiah! The Accuser of our brothers and sisters thrown out, who accused them day and night before God.

11 They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb and the bold word of their witness. They weren't in love with themselves; they were willing to die for Christ.

12 So rejoice, O Heavens, and all who live there, but doom to earth and sea, For the Devil's come down on you with both feet; he's had a great fall; He's wild and raging with anger; he hasn't much time and he knows it.

13 When the Dragon saw he'd been thrown to earth, he went after the Woman who had given birth to the Man-Child.

14 The Woman was given wings of a great eagle to fly to a place in the desert to be kept in safety and comfort for a time and times and half a time, safe and sound from the Serpent.

15 The Serpent vomited a river of water to swamp and drown her,

16 but earth came to her help, swallowing the water the Dragon spewed from its mouth.

17 Helpless with rage, the Dragon raged at the Woman, then went off to make war with the rest of her children, the children who keep God's commands and hold firm to the witness of Jesus.